Latin America's masses are demanding change acroass the region. Several leftist presidents have gained power under a banner of political and economic change.

Since the Cold War, when the United States sponsored several coups, Latin American leaders have kept the status quo of conservative economic polices. However, in recent years, this tide has been changing.

In Venezuela, radical Hugo Chavez, who recently called President George Bush "the devil," has won another term. In Brazil, Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva, born to a poor family, recently won a second term.

In Bolivia, Juan "Evo" Morales Ayma is the first indigenous (and formerly cocoa-farming) president. In Ecuador, Rafael Correa just won the presidency in what The Economist called "A mandate for change." In Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, whose Sandinista party was toppled by the United States in the 1980s, won the presidency last month.

Although each leader represents varying degrees on the political spectrum, with Chavez the most radical and Lula the most moderate, they all sit on the left.

This isn't the first time leftist parties have gained power in Central and South America. During the Cold War, the United States both directly and indirectly sponsored cous in Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay, when these countries elected leftist presidents.

With the Cold War long gone and the size of the mess in Iraq, intervention isn't likely this time.

So what does this swing to the left mean? And will it bring improvement in Latin America?

This wave of change in Latin America represents a frustration with policies that fail to bring prosperity to the poor masses. Decades of liberal development policies have not benefited the people who need it the most: the poor.

Each of the leftist leaders appealed to that frustration, claiming they will provide services to the poor.

Although most of these leaders recently won elections touting these admirable ideals, I doubt they will bring the change that Latin America's poor desperately need.

As the most unequal region in the world, Latin America needs a dramatic restructuring of power that few leaders can provide. Outside pressures and internal policies block any potential for substantial change in Latin America.

Most Latin American countries owe billions in debt spawning from the debt, crisis beginning in the 1970s. Unable to pay their debts, most Latin American countries were forced follow Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) organized by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

These SAPs require countries to follow policies that often reinforce inequality and reduce social services, hurting the poor. Brazil alone owes $188 billion, preventing Lula from reforming social programs. Although he has instigated a program that provides money to the poor, there haven't been dramatic changes.

A second major problem with several leftist presidents — particularly in Venezuela and Bolivia — is unsound economic policies. Chavez's reforms are only sustainable because of surging oil prices. He spends aimlessly, often on trivial projects. If oil prices drop, his policies are bound to increase inflation, reducing spending on social services.

Although these new Latin American presidents signal change, it won't be enough. True change will require the World Bank and IMF to stop interfering with countries' policies, and leaders determined to make sustainable changes.

Columnist Brooke McKean: brookemckean@thedaily.washington.edu